The La Sportiva Akasha is again for model 2.0 with minor updates that can have followers of v1 pleased. In a world of soppy midsoles, tremendous sneakers, and carbon plates, does an old style mountain shoe just like the Akasha nonetheless deserve a spot on the shoe rack?
La Sportiva has launched an up to date model of their widespread Akasha mountain operating shoe with model two. Designed for difficult and technical terrain, the Akasha II goals to ship high stage efficiency and luxury to demanding hikers and path runners. I’ve been testing the Akasha II for nearly a yr now and have a combined bag of emotions for this replace. The higher is snug sufficient, however nonetheless feels stuffy and overbuilt for many trails. The midsole is thick, however nonetheless rides harsh on non technical trails. The outsole continues to be the spotlight of the shoe and delivers in spades on all however very moist and slick surfaces. How does this all work collectively and who is that this shoe for? I’ll cowl all that and extra on this evaluate.
Purchase on Amazon Purchase on REI
Match/Really feel/Consolation
Sizing and Weight
I usually put on a dimension 11.5 US shoe, however dimension as much as 12 for many path and trainers. For La Sportiva, I’ve to dimension as much as a 13 or 47. This can be a bit annoying, however is often constant throughout all of their fashions. I’ve worn 8 completely different La Sportiva mountain operating fashions over the previous few years and all had been a 47. For the Akasha II, issues are smaller than normal, and I ought to have gone for the 47.5.
My dimension 47 Akasha II weigh in at 14oz (395g) per shoe, making this a really hefty path possibility. This weight is absolutely felt whereas operating on fireplace roads and single observe, however disappears in technical terrain the place slower paces and energy mountaineering are the norm.
Higher
Match and Construct
The higher on the Akasha II is generally unchanged from v1, utilizing a mesh below layer and TPU overlays. The TPU overlays within the midfoot present a pleasant and cushty wrap across the arch, however the components on the toe field serve no actual objective. They could present a small layer of safety, however from my expertise, they largely simply entice warmth and moisture. The tongue on the Akasha II is totally gusseted and thickly padded. This pairs nicely with the laces for a strain free lockdown on the highest of the foot. You’ll discover that all the things concerning the Akasha is about bulk. This lends itself nicely for sturdiness, but additionally means the shoe runs sizzling in the summertime and gained’t dry or drain nicely when moist.
The toebox on the Akasha is formed nicely, however as I discussed above, these sneakers run half a dimension smaller than different La Sportivas. The width is in any other case ample, however the quantity is on the low aspect. This match is very nice in technical terrain the place exact footing is required, however can really feel a bit constricting on smoother trails. The toebox could be very nicely protected with a large rubber toe cap, however the microfiber layer below the toe cap has a very unhealthy behavior of getting caught on rocks and roots. You may see beneath the place the microfiber layer is beginning separate from the mesh from this toe hooking. No hotspots, blisters, or misplaced toenails although, so total a pleasant toebox execution on the Akasha II.
The heel on the on the Akasha II is nicely padded and has a full inflexible heel counter. There is no such thing as a lateral wiggle on technical terrain, and no hotspots or rubbing to notice. The heel collar does really feel a tad bid decrease than the unique Akasha which is noticeable on very steep terrain.
The Akasha II matches very comfortable and safe via the midfoot. You may see within the picture above how the TPU higher overlay begins within the heel and works its up up via the laces. I really feel that almost all excessive stack sneakers lack stability within the higher, however the Akasha II does a very good job of maintaining the foot centered on the midsole.
Midsole
The midsole on the Akasha II is constructed on a 6mm drop platform with 31mm within the heel and 25mm within the forefoot. The twin injection EVA compound rides on the agency aspect and in some ways defeats the aim of a excessive stack peak shoe. The midsole doesn’t have the plush trip of a Speedgoat, Mafate, or Extremely Glide, and feels extra like a tall Cascadia. The thick midsole does present nice underfoot safety from sharp rocks regardless of not having a rock plate.
The Akasha II midsole additionally has two plastic stabilizers via the midfoot to maintain the shoe torsionally inflexible. This could be a little bit of a sore level when operating on smoother trails, however is a good characteristic for rocky ascents, and/or mountaineering and backpacking journeys. The stabilizers mix with the dense excessive stack peak midsole to offer a really structured and steady platform.
Outsole
The outsole on the Akasha II makes use of La Sportiva’s FriXion XT 2.0 compound with 4.5 mm lugs. Within the picture beneath, you’ll see the sticky black rubber although the bottom of the outsole, and the pink sturdy compound within the excessive put on areas on the toe and heel. In use, the Akasha II outsole is implausible on nearly each floor. The lugs present good traction on easy surfaces, however can even chunk into softer sandy paths when wanted. They’ve additionally confirmed to be very sturdy, and present only a few indicators of damage.
Purchase on Amazon Purchase on REI
Closing Ideas
La Sportiva has jacked costs up on all of their fashions on this time of loopy inflation, and the Akasha II now is available in at $175. Is the Akasha II price it? For my cash the reply is sure. In case you’re searching for an opulent excessive stack shoe to crush single observe, fireplace roads, and asphalt, the Akasha line just isn’t for you. In case you’re searching for a burly and steady mountain shoe for rocky ascents and off path motion, this shoe will likely be proper at house on your adventures.
Have you ever worn the brand new Akasha II? If that’s the case, let me know your ideas within the feedback.
La Sportiva Akasha II
175.00